Italian Schools and Interculturality: Integration and Discrimination in Friendship Formation

• In Event: 30.063 - Multicultural/Multiethnic Education: Exploring Learning Environments and Student Outcomes

Abstract

This paper discusses findings related to two studies conducted in Italian schools with adolescent students in an attempt to begin the important conversation about intergroup friendships in an increasingly multicultural Italian school context. Specifically, we juxtapose survey findings regarding self-reported intergroup friendships in multiethnic classrooms and responses on a picture-test questionnaire regarding children’s perceptions of interracial friendships. While these studies are different methodologically, we use the findings to explore and advocate for a new perspective on interculturality and intergroup friendship in the Italian school context and a call for new research that is more focused on issues of race, prejudice, and racism in the context of intercultural friendships.

Authors

• Cinzia Pica-Smith, Assumption College

• Rina Manuela Contini, University of Chieti-Pescara (Italy)